Wednesday, November 17, 2010

What is DDP? How do we know it works?

Dr. Daniel Hughes and Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman are the leading proponents of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in the treatment of traumatized children.  What is it? How do we know it works?

What is it?

This is a form of therapy developed in 1990.  It is attachment-focused and family centered. Dr. Daniel Hughes gives a very understandable description of DDP on his website, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Please read this material. It is vital to our children's healing.

How do we know it works?

Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman has done to empirical studies on DDP.  We want our children to be treated with methods that are shown to be effective, reliable and valid.  Please feel free to go to his site, Center 4 Family Development to read not only his research articles but other articles on DDP.

It is a mistake to think that just because the methods our children's trauma therapist's use are not common, they may not be correct.  Long gone are the days of holding and "re birthing". 

Read the research. Be informed about your child's care.  It is empowering.

8 comments:

Arthur Becker-Weidman, PhD said...

Thanks for the posting of this. For those interested in this approach I have several books that might be helpful.
Attachment Parenting is a book I edited with Deb Shell, (2010) Jason Aronson, that describes the use of DDP for parents. The book is primarily directed toward parents and what they can do at home.

In December, my book, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy: Essential Practices & Methods will be out (Jason Aronson). This is basically a treatment manual for this approach.

In early 2011 my newest book, The Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Casebook will be published. This is a book of about 12 transcripts of sessions by certified DDP therapists with annotations.

Brenda said...

And I will be first in line to purchase those books. Thank you for your work.

Erika said...

Have them all. If not for Becker-Weidman and Daniel Hughes, things would not be good at all for us. I appreciate them, their approach, and can't imagine choosing to parent in any other way.

Brandy-new rad mom said...

Thanks for the post. I was referred to strat looking into this. Apparently there is a therapist in New Orleans who is world renouned on the subject. Anyone know anything about this? Be happy to email me please: bl.merrifield@cox.net

Brenda said...

Brandy,

I am not familiar with this person. I googled it and found the term "New Orleans model" but do not know who the therapist is.

Arthur Becker-Weidman, PhD said...

All certified Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy therapists, consultants, and trainers are listed on the DDPI's website:

http://www.dyadicdevelopmentalpsychotherapy.org/

Brenda said...

Thanks Dr. B. I see your new book will be released on Dec 16!

Arthur Becker-Weidman, PhD said...

Yes. It is exciting. Amazon.com and book stores will have it in time for the holiday season!

regards

art